On 10 December 2025, Burghley Horse Trials welcomed over 30 British Eventing cross-country course-designers, technical delegates, and advisors for a hands-on training day focused on innovation, safety, and the future of eventing.
The event began at Burghley House with presentations from leading figures in eventing:
- Mark Phillips (former Burghley course-designer)
- Mike Etherington-Smith (CCI5* course-designer)
- Adrian Ditcham (course-designer, builder, technical advisor)
- Philip Surl (technical delegate)
- Jonathan Clissold (national safety officer) who shared 2025 season data
Attendees then moved to Burghley’s parkland for practical demonstrations and discussions. Topics included modern course-design, safety protocols, and the use of frangible technology.
Collaboration and Learning
Martyn Johnson, Burghley’s Event Director, highlighted the value of knowledge-sharing and continuous learning in a sport that is always evolving. He expressed hope that the day would support further national training and education for event officials.
British Eventing Chief Executive Rosie Williams praised the collaborative nature of the event, noting the diversity of participants from across the UK and the healthy debate around course-design and safety. She emphasised the importance of clear roles on event days and how thoughtful course-design benefits both horses and riders at all levels.
Said Rosie: “It was a fantastic day at Burghley, with really rich discussion, plenty of healthy challenge, and brilliant practical insight into what happens on the ground. The hands-on sessions – complete with tractors and moving fences – gave everyone a real chance to learn from each other, from long-standing experts to newer designers and advisors coming through.
“We had a great geographical mix too, from Scotland to the South West, and a strong blend of course-designers, builders and technical advisors. A big theme was clarity of roles and responsibilities on event days, and how course-design can genuinely influence the development of both horse and rider across all levels.
“There’s still work to do, and we’ll now take some of this forward through the Cross-Country Advisory Group, particularly around daily data collection. But overall it was hugely collaborative and constructive.
“My thanks to Burghley, to Martyn Johnson and the whole team for hosting, to Mark Phillips and Mike Etherington-Smith for their time and expertise, and to everyone who took part. We’re already looking forward to doing it again next year.”
Ongoing initiatives, including work by the Cross-Country Advisory Group on daily data collection, were also discussed. Williams thanked Burghley and all contributors, looking ahead to future training events.
For further details about Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2026 (3-6 September), visit Burghley Horse.
